Survivor Series is only a week away. This is great news because the entire WWE has gone stagnant in an attempt to build for a Network Special that’s a cross-brand event. Meaning, basically, nearly everything we see on Nov. 20 has no impact on angles and stories moving forward.
That’s not the entire case. I don’t want to wet-blanked the entire show. There are two title matches that could result in championships — as well as an entire division — switching brands. Everything else, however, is a one-off.
Hopefully, and hope is all we ever have as pro wrestling fans, things begin to pick back up after Survivor Series takes place.
Let’s take a gander at this week’s gossip, rumors and iffy reports.
BROCK LESNAR’S WRESTLEMANIA OPPONENT IS SHANE MCMAHON
Dave Meltzer is reporting that the tentative plans are to have Brock face Shane at Wrestlemania.
This rumor isn’t all that shocking. There’s still a need to have a form of closure to what happened when the Beast Incarnate walloped McMahon during the entire Randy Orton-Lesnar feud.
Even way back then, reports surfaced that there would eventually be a McMahon vs. Brock battle at some point. Now, however, it appears as though these new reports are putting an exact date to when it will all take place.
With boy guys being on the Survivor Series card, it wouldn’t be shocking to see either (or both for that matter) cost the other their match at the Network Special, helping to reignite this feud a bit.
What will be interesting to follow is if this angle begins in earnest at Survivor Series, to witness how the WWE tries to keep it going for several months while maintaining the WWE Universe’s interest. Given that Lesnar does sparse TV spots, it does naturally help buy the company time, but it probably prevents Lesnar from having another match until Mania itself.
Then again, this feud might not be kick started at Survivor Series at all, and could be something that doesn’t begin to reform until the Royal Rumble.
Odds of this report being true: 5 out of 5
The report uses the word “tentative.” Because of that, this is a 5 out of 5 situation.
TITLE WWE SWITCH HAPPENING AT SURVIVOR SERIES
This rumor mostly comes from the mean streets of Twitter. While some outlets are publishing aspects on it, no one is actually reporting anything about it, which makes this entire thing baseless speculation at this point.
Still, BTDS’ point is to discuss the reports and the rumors floating about the Internet Wrestling Community.
According to a growing popular theory, the WWE is going to have both the IC and Cruiserweight titles switch hands at Survivor Series.
The Cruiserweight division has struggled a bit since debuting on Monday Night Raw. While going to a program that has an entire hour less of programming available to help it grow seems counterproductive, maybe the idea is getting a fresh start.
That said, having ZERO mid-card titles on SmackDown, by giving the IC strap to Raw, makes almost no sense to me. Then again, when does the WWE do things that make sense?
Odds of this rumor being true: 1.245 out of 5
While this is a very, very real possibility, no one is reporting any of this. This rumor basically popped up out of midair. Also, at least from my point of view, it makes no sense to give Raw SmackDown’s only mid-card strap, even if they are getting an entire division in return.
WWE CUTTING BACK ON PPV EVENTS IN 2017
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there will be fewer pay-per-view events (Network Specials) than originally planned for the 2017 programming schedule.
This is reportedly due to a decline in WWE Network subscription numbers. In a way, it would be like downsizing, but instead of employees, it would be events that cost money to run — ones that aren’t, presumably, making enough money to justify their being. WWE officials are looking at making another change when it comes to the pay-per-view schedule next year.
For some context to see how many Network Specials the company was running: After Roadblock (Dec. 18), WWE will have ran 15 pay-per-view events in 2016, plus five Network-exclusive events. It is here where it is worth noting that the brand-split — making two network specials a month become a thing — hasn’t been around the full year. So, in theory, if the company was to continue with that model, it would have been looking at over 24 Network Specials in 2017.
Odds of this report being true: 5 out of 5
While I believe the WWE acknowledges it is running too many Network Specials, this can all change of the subscription numbers go back. But, at least for the time being, it makes logistical and financial sense the company is thinking of doing this. All still fluid, it’s certainly possible.
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